Quick Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry Recipe: A Savory Family Favorite

Sizzling and packed with bold flavors, this Korean ground beef stir fry delivers an explosion of taste in every single bite.

Tender meat dances with vibrant vegetables, creating a quick and satisfying meal that comes together in minutes.

Garlic, soy sauce, and ginger weave their magic through each perfectly seasoned morsel.

The dish captures the essence of Korean cuisine with its dynamic blend of sweet, savory, and umami notes.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet incredibly delicious recipe.

Home cooks will love how effortlessly this stir fry brings restaurant-quality excitement to the dinner table.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 485 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients That Bring Out Korean Stir Fry Flavor

• Lean Ground Beef: Provides rich, hearty flavor and substantial protein punch, choose 90% lean for optimal tenderness and less grease.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic complexity and boosts immune-supporting properties, select fresh cloves for maximum intensity.

• Red Bell Pepper, Zucchini, Sugar Snap Peas, Shredded Carrots, Mushrooms: Create vibrant color palette and crisp texture, ensuring maximum nutritional diversity and visual appeal, pick firm, bright-colored produce at peak freshness.

• Brown Sugar, Reduced-Sodium Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Ground Ginger, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Pepper: Craft a harmonious sweet-savory-spicy profile, blending traditional Korean seasoning techniques with balanced umami undertones, choose high-quality, authentic ingredients for authentic taste experience.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add final layer of freshness and textural contrast, sprinkle generously for aromatic finish and elegant presentation.

Tools to Keep Korean Stir Fry Simple

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and sautéing vegetables with even heat distribution.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for mixing sauce ingredients and whisking flavors together smoothly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Crucial for breaking up beef and stirring ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients before cooking.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precisely slicing vegetables and green onions.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning sauce ingredients like brown sugar and sesame oil.
• Whisk: Useful for blending sauce components until well combined.

Cooking Korean Beef Stir Fry the Way

• Beef Preparation

Start by heating a large skillet and breaking down ground beef into small pieces while cooking with minced garlic. Cook until meat turns completely brown and loses its raw appearance.

• Vegetable Harmony

Remove cooked beef and set aside. In the same skillet, add fresh vegetables like colorful bell peppers, zucchini, snap peas, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté quickly to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant colors.

• Flavor Fusion

Create a delicious sauce by mixing sweet brown sugar, rich soy sauce, aromatic sesame oil, zesty ginger, spicy red pepper flakes, and a touch of black pepper. Pour this magical blend over the beef and vegetables, allowing everything to mingle and develop deep, complex flavors.

• Final Touch

Plate the stir fry over fluffy steamed rice. Sprinkle sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top for a beautiful presentation that adds extra crunch and visual appeal.

Make It Your Own: Korean Stir Fry Tips

• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different protein options like ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist on this classic Korean-inspired dish.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance – use less for mild flavor or add more for a fiery kick that'll wake up your taste buds.
• Veggie Swap Magic: Feel free to use whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand. Broccoli, green beans, or even asparagus work wonderfully in this versatile stir fry.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: This recipe stores beautifully in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Prep a big batch and enjoy quick, delicious lunches throughout the week – just reheat and serve over fresh rice.

Presenting Stir Fry the Korean Way

• Quick Rice Bowl Remix: Pile the stir fry over brown rice or cauliflower rice for a hearty, low-carb meal that's packed with protein and vegetables.
• Lettuce Wrap Adventure: Serve the Korean ground beef mixture inside crisp lettuce leaves for a fun, handheld meal that's light and refreshing with a satisfying crunch.
• Noodle Twist Delight: Toss the stir fry with hot rice noodles or zucchini noodles for a quick pasta-style dinner that brings all the bold Korean flavors to life.
• Meal Prep Magic: Store portions in sealed containers for easy lunch options during the week, keeping the flavors fresh and exciting for busy days.

How to Store Leftover Stir Fry Like a Chef

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Cook double the ground beef batch and store half in airtight containers for quick future meals, saving time during busy weekdays and ensuring delicious protein is always ready.
• Refrigeration Guidelines: Keep leftovers in sealed containers for 3-4 days, maintaining optimal taste and food safety. Always cool the stir fry completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup and potential bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Portion the cooked stir fry into individual freezer-safe containers, allowing you to enjoy this Korean-inspired dish up to 2 months later. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet to restore original texture.
• Reheating Tips: When warming refrigerated or thawed stir fry, use a skillet on medium-low heat to prevent vegetables from becoming mushy. Add a splash of water or extra soy sauce to restore moisture and revive the dish's vibrant flavors.

Sizzling Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling spices elevate this Korean ground beef stir fry with complex layers of umami and tangy notes. Savory ingredients blend perfectly for a quick weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• ½ cup (75 g) sugar snap peas
• ½ cup (60 g) shredded carrots
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• sliced green onions (for garnish)
• ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp pepper
• sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef with minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat, browning thoroughly until no pink remains. Transfer cooked meat to a separate plate, draining excess fat.
2. Vegetable Medley: Drizzle olive oil in the same skillet, introducing bell peppers, zucchini, snap peas, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté swiftly until vegetables reach a tender-crisp texture.
3. Flavor Fusion: Reunite browned beef with sautéed vegetables in the skillet. Whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and ground pepper into a vibrant sauce.
4. Sauce Integration: Pour aromatic sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture, allowing ingredients to simmer gently and absorb the complex flavor profile.
5. Plating Finale: Spread fluffy rice on serving plates, crown with the savory stir fry, and garnish generously with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a visually stunning and delectable presentation.

Notes

• Drain Excess Fat: Remove majority of beef fat to reduce calories and prevent greasy texture, improving overall dish healthiness.
• Vegetable Texture Matters: Sauté quickly at high heat to maintain crisp, vibrant vegetables – avoid overcooking which leads to mushy, flavorless results.
• Sauce Balancing Technique: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors throughout the stir fry.
• Garnish Impact: Fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds aren’t just decorative – they add critical layers of brightness, crunch, and nutty depth to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 790 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg